On March 10, 2015, four Louisiana-based National Guard aircrew and seven Camp Lejeune-based Marine Raiders lost their lives when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the Navarre Sound. One year later, the community is uniting to pay tribute to the fallen.
“This tragedy struck an emotional chord in our community. I pray these events of remembrance will allow time for reflection and healing,” said District 4 Commissioner Rob Williamson. “My prayers also go out to the families visiting this week that they will be comforted by Santa Rosa County’s outpouring of love and support.”
Leadership Santa Rosa Class 29 has been raising funds to build a 10-foot memorial not only for those who perished that night, but to all members of the armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States. Several memorial activities, both public and private, have been arranged through volunteers with “Remembering Black Hawk 11,” to coincide with the partial unveiling of the memorial. The ceremonies will end as the Marine Raider Memorial March sets foot on their 770-mile ruck march to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Public events are as follows:
Thursday, March 10 – 6:30 p.m.
A public ceremony will be held in the Navarre Beach Marine Park, 8740 Gulf Boulevard in Navarre Beach and will end with the final roll call at 8:21 p.m., the time of the crash in Navarre Sound. Following the final roll call, the Marine Raiders Memorial March will symbolically leave the beach park and march over the Navarre Beach Causeway to the Navarre Park at the site of the memorial being built.
A public ceremony will be held in the Navarre Beach Marine Park, 8740 Gulf Boulevard in Navarre Beach and will end with the final roll call at 8:21 p.m., the time of the crash in Navarre Sound. Following the final roll call, the Marine Raiders Memorial March will symbolically leave the beach park and march over the Navarre Beach Causeway to the Navarre Park at the site of the memorial being built.
Friday, March 11 – 9 a.m.
A public ceremony will be held in Navarre Park, 8513 Navarre Parkway in Navarre, to remember the fallen servicemen with a dedication and partial unveiling of the Black Hawk 11 Memorial currently under construction. This location is subject to change due to inclement weather. An alternate location has been identified as the Days Inn & Suites Navarre Conference Center, 8700 Navarre Parkway in Navarre Beach.
A public ceremony will be held in Navarre Park, 8513 Navarre Parkway in Navarre, to remember the fallen servicemen with a dedication and partial unveiling of the Black Hawk 11 Memorial currently under construction. This location is subject to change due to inclement weather. An alternate location has been identified as the Days Inn & Suites Navarre Conference Center, 8700 Navarre Parkway in Navarre Beach.
Friday, March 11 – 10 a.m.
The Marine Raider Memorial Marchers will depart Navarre Park on the first segment of their march to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, symbolizing bringing their fallen brothers-in-arms home. They will be carrying the only surviving piece of equipment from the crash: a paddle belonging to the fallen Marine Raiders. The first of seven two-man teams will ruck round-the-clock in a relay style march, alternate every 10-12 miles, through four states and past several military installations over 10 days.
The Marine Raider Memorial Marchers will depart Navarre Park on the first segment of their march to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, symbolizing bringing their fallen brothers-in-arms home. They will be carrying the only surviving piece of equipment from the crash: a paddle belonging to the fallen Marine Raiders. The first of seven two-man teams will ruck round-the-clock in a relay style march, alternate every 10-12 miles, through four states and past several military installations over 10 days.
